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Revelation
Chapter Fourteen
Revelation 14
In chapter 14 we have the dealings of God with the evil,
only first owning and setting apart the remnant. The remnant belongs entirely
to the renewed earth: they are seen on that which is the centre of dominion and
glory in it-Mount Zion where the Lamb shall reign. They had His and His
Father's name on their foreheads; that is, by their open confession of God and
the Lamb they had been witnesses of it, and suffered as Christ had suffered in
His life in owning God His Father: only they had not suffered death. It was a
new beginning, not the assembly, not heavenly, but the blessing of a delivered
earth in its firstfruits in those who had suffered for the testimony to it.
Heaven celebrates it with a voice of many waters, and as of thunder, but with
joy. This voice was the voice of harps. A new song is sung before the throne
and beasts and elders. Here the fact is the important thing. There had been a
song in and of heaven, in chapter 5 in connection with redemption; but those
who were redeemed there were made kings and priests. Here it was redemption in
connection with earthly blessings, not with the kingdom and priesthood on high;
and it is sung before the heavenly company and throne. Heaven however is
directly connected with the song. It was connected with triumph over the power
of evil by patient endurance of suffering.
What specially characterised them was purity from the contamination
that surrounded them. This passing through sorrow and overcoming connects them
directly with the heavenly conquerors. It was not the new song of heavenly
redemption; still it was victory when down at the gates of death, though not
actually in it. It was "as it were a new song." This none could learn
but those who had shared the earthly sufferings of the Lamb, and would now be
His companions in His earthly royalty; they had followed Him, they would follow
Him whithersoever He went. They are the firstfruits of the new scene. They had
not corrupted themselves where all did. They were not of those who loved or
made a lie, or gave in to it. Corruption and falsehood they had been kept free
from, openly confessing the truth. They had not the heavenly place, but they
are without fault, and they share the Lamb's earthly place and glory, accompanying
Him whithersoever He goes, in the manifestation of that glory. All that led to
these privileges had no place when once the kingdom was set up. It was then too
late to shew faithfulness in this way. There is a connection with the heavenly
saints which is not in chapter 7. The white-robed multitude stood before the
throne and the Lamb. They are before the throne of God, they worship in His
temple, and the Lamb comforts them. Here there is special association with the
Lamb on earth, in their path and in their consequent place. It is the remnant
of the Psalms (especially 1---41). But, though on earth with the King, they are
redeemed from among men before Christ comes to earth; and the song they learn
to sing is sung before the elders and living creatures. They are not with them,
but they sing the song sung before them; that is, the Gentile multitude are
admitted to special privileges before God and the Lamb; the Jewish remnant are
associated with the Lamb on earth, and, in a certain sense, with heaven.
The progress of God's ways follows-warning to the earth
to leave idolatry; for the hour of God's judgment was come. The everlasting
gospel is the testimony of Christ's power, from paradise onward, as in contrast
with the special announcement of the assembly, and glad tidings connected with
it. Babylon is announced to be fallen; threats and warnings to any that should
own the beast; but the time is now come when dying in the Lord was to cease;
only their blessedness remained henceforth. Dying and tribulation were over.
They are looked at as one whole body; and while any remained yet to die, they
were diers in the Lord, not rested and blessed. Now their rest is come and
their reward.
Christ then reaps the earth-separating, gathering, and
judgment; and treads the winepress, exercise unmingled vengeance on the wicked.
Hence in this last judgment it is the angel who had the power over fire who
calls for it; it was full divine judgment. This judgment was not within the
limits of Babylon--was not in the sphere in which man had formed and ordered
his organization in opposition to God. This closes the whole scene of that
which the history had begun by the catching up of the Man-child to heaven. He
has returned in vengeance. An interesting question here arises-What is the vine
of the earth? It is that which is the fruit bearing organization, or what
should be so (that is the idea of it), in professed connection with God, as His
planting in the earth. Israel has the vine brought out of Egypt. Christ on
earth was the true vine. It is not connection with Him in heaven. There we are
looked at as perfect, not to bear fruit and be pruned. But analogously it went
on after He had ascended on high, and professing Christians are the branches.
But here it is the vine of the earth, that which has its character and growth
therein, but with the pretension to take the religious place by succession on
the earth. The true saints are gone on high, or are a persecuted individual
remnant. I have no doubt the Jews will be the centre of that system then, but
they will be mixed up with Gentiles, have turned to idolatry, and have seven
spirits worse than that; and the apostate Gentiles will be fully associated
with it all. (See Isaiah 34, 63, 65, 66)
── John Darby《Synopsis of Revelation》
Revelation 14
Chapter Contents
Those faithful to Christ celebrate the praises of God.
(1-5) Three angels; one proclaiming the everlasting gospel; another, the
downfal of Babylon; and a third, the dreadful wrath of God on the worshippers
of the beast. The blessedness of those who die in the Lord. (6-13) A vision of
Christ with a sickle, and of a harvest ripe for cutting down. (14-16) The
emblem of a vintage fully ripe, trodden in the wine-press of God's wrath.
(17-20)
Commentary on Revelation 14:1-5
(Read Revelation 14:1-5)
Mount Sion is the gospel church. Christ is with his
church, and in the midst of her in all her troubles, therefore she is not
consumed. His presence secures perseverance. His people appear honourably. They
have the name of God written in their foreheads; they make a bold and open
profession of their faith in God and Christ, and this is followed by suitable
actings. There were persons in the darkest times, who ventured and laid down
their lives for the worship and truth of the gospel of Christ. They kept
themselves clean from the wicked abominations of the followers of antichrist.
Their hearts were right with God; and they were freely pardoned in Christ; he
is glorified in them, and they in him. May it be our prayer, our endeavour, our
ambition, to be found in this honourable company. Those who are really
sanctified and justified are meant here, for no hypocrite, however plausible,
can be accounted to be without fault before God.
Commentary on Revelation 14:6-13
(Read Revelation 14:6-13)
The progress of the Reformation appears to be here set
forth. The four proclamations are plain in their meaning; that all Christians
may be encouraged, in the time of trial, to be faithful to their Lord. The
gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give
glory to him. The preaching of the everlasting gospel shakes the foundations of
antichrist in the world, and hastens its downfal. If any persist in being
subject to the beast, and in promoting his cause, they must expect to be for
ever miserable in soul and body. The believer is to venture or suffer any thing
in obeying the commandments of God, and professing the faith of Jesus. May God
bestow this patience upon us. Observe the description of those that are and
shall be blessed: such as die in the Lord; die in the cause of Christ, in a
state of union with Christ; such as are found in Christ when death comes. They
rest from all sin, temptation, sorrow, and persecution; for there the wicked
cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest. Their works follow them: do
not go before as their title, or purchase, but follow them as proofs of their
having lived and died in the Lord: the remembrance of them will be pleasant,
and the reward far above all their services and sufferings. This is made sure
by the testimony of the Spirit, witnessing with their spirits, and the written
word.
Commentary on Revelation 14:14-20
(Read Revelation 14:14-20)
Warnings and judgments not having produced reformation,
the sins of the nations are filled up, and they become ripe for judgments,
represented by a harvest, an emblem which is used to signify the gathering of
the righteous, when ripe for heaven, by the mercy of God. The harvest time is
when the corn is ripe; when the believers are ripe for heaven, then the wheat
of the earth shall be gathered into Christ's garner. And by a vintage. The
enemies of Christ and his church are not destroyed, till by their sin they are
ripe for ruin, and then he will spare them no longer. The wine-press is the wrath
of God, some terrible calamity, probably the sword, shedding the blood of the
wicked. The patience of God towards sinners, is the greatest miracle in the
world; but, though lasting, it will not be everlasting; and ripeness in sin is
a sure proof of judgment at hand.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Revelation》
Revelation 14
Verse 1
[1] And
I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred
forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
And I saw on mount Sion — The heavenly Sion.
An hundred forty-four thousand — Either those out of all mankind who had been the most eminently holy, or
the most holy out of the twelve tribes of Israel the same that were mentioned, Revelation 7:4, and perhaps also, Revelation 16:2. But they were then in the
world, and were sealed in their foreheads, to preserve them from the plagues
that were to follow. They are now in safety, and have the name of the Lamb and
of his Father written on their foreheads, as being the redeemed of God and of
the Lamb, his now unalienable property. This prophecy often introduces the
inhabitants of heaven as a kind of chorus with great propriety and elegance.
The church above, making suitable reflections on the grand events which are
foretold in this book, greatly serves to raise the attention of real
Christians, and to teach the high concern they have in them. Thus is the church
on earth instructed, animated, and encouraged, by the sentiments temper, and
devotion of the church in heaven.
Verse 2
[2] And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their
harps:
And I heard a sound out of heaven — Sounding clearer and clearer: first, at a distance, as the sound of many
waters or thunders; and afterwards, being nearer, it was as of harpers harping
on their harps. It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once.
Verse 3
[3] And
they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts,
and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and
four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
And they —
The hundred forty-four thousand-Sing a new song - and none could learn that
song - To sing and play it in the same manner.
But the hundred forty-four thousand who were
redeemed from the earth — From among men; from all sin.
Verse 4
[4] These
are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are
they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from
among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
These are they who had not been defiled with
women — It seems that the deepest defilement, and
the most alluring temptation, is put for every other.
They are virgins —
Unspotted souls; such as have preserved universal purity.
These are they who follow the Lamb — Who are nearest to him. This is not their character, but their reward
Firstfruits - Of the glorified spirits. Who is ambitious to be of this number?
Verse 5
[5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before
the throne of God.
And in their month there was found no guile — Part for the whole. Nothing untrue, unkind, unholy.
They are without fault — Having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body.
Verse 6
[6] And
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel
to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred,
and tongue, and people,
And I saw another angel — A second is mentioned, verse 8; a third, verse 9. Revelation 14:8,9 These three denote great
messengers of God with their assistants; three men who bring messages from God
to men. The first exhorts to the fear and worship of God; he second proclaims
the fall of Babylon; the third gives warning concerning the beast. Happy are
they who make the right use of these divine messages! Flying - Going on
swiftly.
In the midst of heaven — Breadthways.
Having an everlasting gospel — Not the gospel, properly so called; but a gospel, or joyful message,
which was to have an influence on all ages.
To preach to every nation, and tribe, and
tongue, and people — Both to Jew and gentile, even as far as
the authority of the beast had extended.
Verse 7
[7]
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and
the fountains of waters.
Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour
of his judgment is come — The joyful message is properly this, that
the hour of God's judgment is come. And hence is that admonition drawn, Fear
God and give glory to him. They who do this will not worship the beast, neither
any image or idol whatsoever.
And worship him that made — Whereby he is absolutely distinguished from idols of every kind.
The heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and
fountains of water — And they who worship him shall be
delivered when the angels pour out their phials on the earth, sea, fountains of
water, on the sun, and in the air.
Verse 8
[8] And
there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great
city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication.
And another angel followed, saying, Babylon
is fallen — With the overthrow of Babylon, that of all
the enemies of Christ, and, consequently, happier times, are connected.
Babylon the great — So
the city of Rome is called upon many accounts. Babylon was magnificent, strong,
proud, powerful. So is Rome also. Babylon was first, Rome afterwards, the
residence of the emperors of the world. What Babylon was to Israel of old, Rome
hath been both to the literal and spiritual "Israel of God." Hence
the liberty of the ancient Jews was connected with the overthrow of the
Babylonish empire. And when Rome is finally overthrown, then the people of God
will be at liberty. Whenever Babylon is mentioned in this book, the great is
added, to teach us that Rome then commenced Babylon, when it commenced the
great city; when it swallowed up the Grecian monarchy and its fragments, Syria
in particular; and, in consequence of this, obtained dominion over Jerusalem
about sixty years before the birth of Christ. Then it began, but it will not
cease to be Babylon till it is finally destroyed. Its spiritual greatness began
in the fifth century, and increased from age to age. It seems it will come to
its utmost height just before its final overthrow. Her fornication is her
idolatry; invocation of saints and angels; worship of images; human traditions;
with all that outward pomp, yea, and that fierce and bloody zeal, wherewith she
pretends to serve God. But with spiritual fornication, as elsewhere, so in
Rome, fleshly fornication is joined abundantly. Witness the stews there,
licensed by the Pope, which are no inconsiderable branch of his revenue. This
is fitly compared, to wine, because of its intoxicating nature. Of this wine
she hath, indeed, made all nations drink - More especially by her later
missions. We may observe, this making them drink is not ascribed to the beast,
but to Babylon. For Rome itself, the Roman inquisitions, congregations, and
Jesuits, continually propagate the idolatrous doctrines and practices, with or
without the consent of this or that Pope, who himself is not secure from their
censure.
Verse 9
[9] And
the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the
beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
And a third angel followed — At no great distance of time.
Saying, If any one worship the wild beast — This worship consists, partly in an inward submission, a persuasion that
all who are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast or they cannot
receive the influences of divine grace, or, as their expression is, there is no
salvation out of their church; partly in a suitable outward reverence to the
beast himself, and consequently to his image.
Verse 10
[10] The
same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without
mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire
and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the
Lamb:
He shall drink —
With Babylon, Revelation 16:19.
And shall be tormented — With the beast, Revelation 20:10. In all the scripture there is
not another so terrible threatening as this. And God by this greater fear arms
his servants against the fear of the beast.
The wrath of God, which is poured unmixed — Without any mixture of mercy; without hope.
Into the cup of his indignation — And is no real anger implied in all this? O what will not even wise men
assert, to serve an hypothesis!
Verse 11
[11] And
the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no
rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever
receiveth the mark of his name.
And the smoke —
From the fire and brimstone wherein they are tormented.
Ascendeth for ever and ever — God grant thou and I may never try the strict, literal eternity of this
torment!
Verse 12
[12] Here
is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus.
Here is the patience of the saints — Seen, in suffering all things rather than receive this mark.
Who keep the commandments of God — The character of all true saints; and particularly the great command to
believe in Jesus.
Verse 13
[13] And
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from
their labours; and their works do follow them.
And I heard a voice —
This is most seasonably heard when the beast is in his highest power and fury.
Out of heaven —
Probably from a departed saint.
Write — He
was at first commanded to write the whole book. Whenever this is repeated it
denotes something peculiarly observable.
Happy are the dead —
From henceforth particularly: 1. Because they escape the approaching
calamities: 2. Because they already enjoy so near an approach to glory.
Who die in the Lord — In
the faith of the Lord Jesus.
For they rest — No
pain, no purgatory follows; but pure, unmixed happiness.
From their labours —
And the more laborious their life was, the sweeter is their rest. How different
this state from that of those, verse 11, Revelation 14:11 who "have no rest day or
night!" Reader, which wilt thou choose? Their works - Each one's peculiar
works.
Follow — or
accompany them; that is, the fruit of their works. Their works do not go before
to procure them admittance into the mansions of joy; but they follow them when
admitted.
Verse 14
[14] And
I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the
Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
In the following verses, under the emblem of
an harvest and a vintage, are signified two general visitations; first, many
good men are taken from the earth by the harvest; then many sinners during the
vintage. The latter is altogether a penal visitation; the former seems to be
altogether gracious. Here is no reference in either to the day of judgment, but
to a season which cannot be far off.
And I saw a white cloud — An emblem of mercy.
And on the cloud sat one like a son of man — An angel in an human shape, sent by Christ, the Lord both of the vintage
and of the harvest.
Having a golden crown on his head — In token of his high dignity.
And a sharp sickle in his hand — The sharper the welcomer to the righteous.
Verse 15
[15] And
another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to
reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
And another angel came out of the temple — "Which is in heaven," verse 17. Revelation 14:17 Out of which came the judgments
of God in the appointed seasons.
Verse 16
[16] And
he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped.
Crying — By
the command of God.
Thrust in thy sickle, for the harvest is ripe — This implies an high degree of holiness in those good men, and an
earnest desire to be with God.
Verse 18
[18] And
another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried
with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp
sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are
fully ripe.
And another angel from the altar — Of burnt offering; from whence the martyrs had cried for vengeance.
Who had power over fire — As "the angel of the waters," Revelation 16:5, had over water.
Cried, saying, Lop off the clusters of the
vine of the earth — All the wicked are considered as
constituting one body.
Verse 20
[20] And
the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the
winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six
hundred furlongs.
And the winepress was trodden — By the Son of God, Revelation 19:15.
Without the city —
Jerusalem. They to whom St. John writes, when a man said, "The city,"
immediately understood this.
And blood came out of the winepress, even to
the horses' bridles — So deep at its first flowing from the
winepress! One thousand six hundred furlongs - So far! at least two hundred
miles, through the whole land of Palestine.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Revelation》
Chapter 14. Three Harvests
Rest in the
Lord
They Are Blessed
I. Offered as
Firstfruits
II. Angels with
the Message
III. Reap the
Harvest and the Grapes
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
Chapter Fourteen General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To examine the series of scenes depicted in this chapter 2) To appreciate how they would have provided comfort to the Christians of John's day SUMMARY
Following the troubling description of the beasts in the previouschapter, this chapter provides scenes which appear designed to reassurethe saints to remain faithful to God. First there is the Lamb and 144,000 having the Father's name written ontheir foreheads, standing on Mount Zion throne, the four living creatures, and the elders, the great company isdescribed as male virgins, redeemed from the earth as firstfruits toGod and to the Lamb. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and arewithout fault before the throne of God (1-5). I suggest this is apicture of the saints triumphant in heaven. Both the number anddescriptive terms are symbolic, illustrating the blessedness promisedfor those who will persevere in their faithfulness to God. Next comes three angels and their proclamations. The first angel andhis proclamation may indicate that the gospel will continue to bespread (despite the efforts of the dragon and the beasts). Peopleshould therefore fear God and worship Him (not Caesar), for the hour ofGod's judgment has come (6-7). The proclamation of the second angelannounces the fall of Babylon The third angel proclaims the terrible judgment and eternal torment tobefall those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark(9-11). The three proclamations are then followed by an explanationthat the patience of the saints consists of keeping the commandments ofGod and the faith of Jesus, with a voice from heaven telling John towrite of the blessedness of those who die in the Lord (12-13). The chapter concludes with a depiction of two harvests. The firstshows the Son of Man on a white cloud reaping the harvest of the earth(14-16). The second depicts an angel reaping the grapes of the vine ofthe earth, which are then thrown into the great winepress of the wrathof God, producing a river of blood almost two hundred miles long(17-20). These two harvests may be different ways of describing thesame judgment about to come upon those who follow the beast, or the first may depict that Jesus will safely harvest His own while God's wrath is being poured out on His enemies. I do not believe eitherrepresents that which will occur when Jesus comes at the end of time(though they may certainly foreshadow that great event). Instead, likethe angelic proclamations they reassured the Christians of John's daythat God's hour of judgment was soon to come upon their enemies (e.g.,the Roman empire ). OUTLINE